Chapter 51

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AN ACT RELATIVE TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND INDEPENDENT LIVING.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 38G the following section:-

Section 38G½. As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meaning:-

“Board”, the board of elementary and secondary education established in chapter 15.

“Department”, the department of elementary and secondary education established in chapter 15.

“Transition services”, as defined in 20 USC 1401(34).

The board shall provide a specialist teacher endorsement in transition services which shall include both coursework and field experience for previously licensed special education teachers and rehabilitation counselors to develop the competence necessary to serve as transition coordinators to facilitate provision of a coordinated set of activities to adequately prepare students with disabilities to achieve successful transition to post-school activities, including further education, competitive employment and independent living. The requirements for the specialist teacher endorsement in transition services, as promulgated by the board, may also satisfy course requirements necessary to obtain a professional license. The board shall promulgate rules and regulations specifying the subject matter, knowledge, skills and competencies required for such endorsement, including requirements to incorporate renewal of the endorsement as part of the individual professional development plan required pursuant to section 38G. The rules and regulations shall also specify components necessary for preparation programs offering a specialist teacher endorsement in transition services, which shall be included in the department’s process for approving preparation programs.

SECTION 2. For 1 year after the rules and regulations required under section 38G½ of chapter 71 of the General Laws have been promulgated by the board of elementary and secondary education, individuals who have previously been employed serving as transition coordinators and coordinating school-based transition services shall be eligible to receive a transition specialist endorsement, provided that they demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to receive such endorsement, subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the board.

SECTION 3. The board of elementary and secondary education shall promulgate the rules and regulations required pursuant to section 38G½ of chapter 71 of the General Laws on or before September 1, 2012.